Lions sign Theo Riddick, Sam Martin to extensions

Riddick agreed on a three-year deal worth $12.75 million. He was among one of the most effective pass-catching backs in the league.

The Detroit Lions signed punter Sam Martin and running back Theo Riddick to contract extensions Friday.

Lions’ executive vice president and general manager Bob Quinn spoke about the extensions for both Riddick and Martin and expressed Detroit’s excitement to have these two players around for the future.

The Lions not only locked up their talented young running back Friday, but also secured their starting punter through the 2020 season, signing him to a four-year extension worth $13.6 million, according to Rapoport.

Both Riddick and Martin joined the Lions when they were drafted by the Lions in 2013.

The Lions open the regular season against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, and will look to rely on both Riddick and Martin throughout the 2016 season. Past year the Lions did not finish on the best note. “That’s why I guess we signed everybody”.

They are the second and third players to sign a contract extensions from their class along with cornerback Darius Slay, who signed a $50.2 million extension right before training camp. They will both be getting paid well.

Riddick, the Lions sixth-round draft pick from 2013, tied for the National Football League lead among running backs with 80 catches past year and is an integral part of the Lions offense.

Taylor, who’s only had the most preliminary of extension talks with the Lions, said the team’s 2013 draft class has succeeded in part because they’ve pushed each other to be great – something he said they’re not done doing. “They all earned it and so for me, I’m just in the process of just working hard to eventually do the same thing”.